Debate advice: Obama, light a cig; Romney, throw deep

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Updated 2359 GMT (0659 HKT) October 3, 2012

Photos: Preparing for first debate9 photos

Preparing for first debate – As members of the media prepare their television sets, University of Denver students Zach Gonzales, left, and Dia Mohamed stand in for the nominees during a dress rehearsal for the presidential debate Tuesday, October 2, in Denver. President Obama and Mitt Romney will square off during the first of three debates on Wednesday night.

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Preparing for first debate – Workers prepare the set for the television anchors during the first presidential debate at the University of Denver on Monday, October 1.

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Preparing for first debate – Workers make adjustments to the stage on Tuesday.

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Preparing for first debate – A man walks through the media center as preparations continue on Monday.

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Preparing for first debate – Workers carry a podium onto the stage on Monday.

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Preparing for first debate – Gonzales, left, and Mohamed stand in for Romney and Obama on Tuesday.

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Preparing for first debate – Desks sit ready for reporters in the media center on Monday.

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Preparing for first debate – A worker puts cords down on Tuesday.

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Preparing for first debate – Television crews begin to broadcast on Tuesday outside the Ritchie Center, where the first 2012 presidential debate will take place.

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Story highlights

CNN asked two political contributors for advice for the presidential debaters

That should be Mitt Romney's strategy in tonight's debate: Throw deep.

Here's the problem: the one time in his cautious, careful, risk-averse candidacy that Romney gambled, he lost. Putting Paul Ryan on the ticket has been a disaster. Ryan's budget ideas -- voucherizing Medicare, privatizing Social Security, gutting education and giving tax breaks to the rich -- are toxic. The Romney-Ryan budget plan has cemented Romney's image as Gordon Gekko on a bad day; Thurston Howell III on a good one.

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Romney's aides are right when they tell the press a debate is a series of moments, and they are wise to try to craft some moments. But they are fools for telling The New York Times: "(Romney's) strategy includes luring the president into appearing smug or evasive about his responsibility for the economy."

First, let me assure you our president reads The New York Times and has almost certainly deployed his Spock-like mind on avoiding smugness or evasion. Any strategy that relies on your opponent to err is a hope, not a strategy.

Instead of hoping for President Obama to be a jerk, Romney should surprise us by being human. He should acknowledge the obvious: that his party made a hash of things the last time they ran the economy: squandering the surplus, generating trillions in debt, deregulating Wall Street, waging war on the national credit card.

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Breaking with the failed orthodoxy of his own party's past was something Ronald Reagan was capable of. But Mitt Romney is no Ronald Reagan. And he's certainly no Ken Stabler. Romney was not a quarterback, throwing deep. He was, and remains, a cheerleader, furiously praising his team's efforts. Even when they have demonstrably failed.

Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and CNN political contributor, is senior adviser to Priorities USA Action, the biggest super PAC favoring President Barack Obama's re-election. Begala was a political consultant for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992 and was counselor to Clinton in the White House.

Mr. President, my advice for you in your debate tomorrow: Have a cigarette.

Alex Castellanos

No, seriously. If I were your advisor, I'd urge you to remember that you are the president, and we only have one of those. A president's stature is hard to match. Don't throw it away by becoming a political attack dog. Yes, you need a good offense or Romney will put you on defense, which you don't want. Hey, you've got a lot that needs defending! But keep your famous cool and make Romney come up to your level.

Remember, a tie goes to the incumbent. Mitt Romney has to make the case for change or Americans will keep what they've got. The pressure is on him.

Keep your chin down. No, literally. You tend to get a bit arrogant sometimes. At times, you've even bragged about your modesty. Debate night is not the time to repeat your suggestion that you might be one of the four greatest presidents in American history.

Quote Bill Clinton. I know this one sticks in your craw: You don't believe Clinton is in your same league. Remember, however, that his speech at the Democratic convention wasn't just an endorsement, it was a campaign plan. Follow it.

Tell America that Clinton was right, things are getting better and your priority for the next 4 years is reducing the deficit.

Give voters a signal that you won't need the Democratic Party's left wing after you are re-elected. Let the center know you may have fooled around with crazy spending your first term, but if re-elected, you'll be faithful, live on the family budget and settle down at home with them.

Oh yes, and mean it.

Alex Castellanos, a CNN contributor, is a Republican consultant and the co-founder of Purple Strategies. Follow him on Twitter: @alexcast.